RAU, Heimo

RAU, Heimo. Breslau 30.12.1912 — Filderstadt 30.12.1993. German Art Historian and Indologist. Long time in India. Son of Ernst Rau and Hedwig Czeschka (of Austria), both Steinerians. Studies of art history, archaeology and Indology at Vienna. In 1933 Assistant at excavations at Freistritz-Pulst. Ph.D. 1935 Vienna. In 1938-45 Assistant at Indian department, Staatliche Museen in Berlin, cataloguing Turfan finds. Military service remained short because of rheumatic arthritis. In 1946-60 taught as Lehrer für Kunstgeschichte und Geschichte at Freie Waldorfschule in Stuttgart. In 1960-65 Director of Max Mueller Bhawan in New Delhi and, after a few years in Heidelberg, in 1968-73 founder and first Director of Max Mueller Bhawan in Bombay, from 1973 again Director in Delhi and from 1975 founder and first Director of Max Mueller Bhawan in Kathmandu. In 1974 Visiting Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. From 1966 also wiss. Mitarbeiter at Südasieninstitut, Heidelberg, and from 1968 PD for Indian art and archaeology at Heidelberg, where he taught regularly every year until 1982. Married 1940 with Herta Wehnert, four children.

HR was a specialist of early Buddhist art and architecture, cave temples and art of Nepal.